Photo: Celebrating the recent opening of the newest Catie's Closet addition are, from left: Nashua School District Superintendent Jahmal Mosley, EdD; Sunset Heights Elementary School Principal Marie Alsup; and Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union President/CEO Mark S. Cochran.

As students at Sunset Heights Elementary School in Nashua, NH, began the new school year, they noticed a brightly painted room near their gymnasium filled with clothing and toiletries. The room, which was once the closet for the Parent Teacher Organization is now a brand new Catie's Closet, sponsored by Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union.

Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union has been a long-time supporter of Catie's Closet, a nonprofit organization that provides students with in-school access to clothing and basic necessities. In addition to its distribution center in neighboring Dracut, Mass., the organization currently has 47 closets in schools across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. The new closet at Sunset Heights marks the 10th Catie's Closet in New Hampshire schools.  

"Catie's Closet has had a tremendous impact on so many children and their families throughout our local community and beyond," said Mark S. Cochran, president/CEO of Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union. "We are proud to support their continued growth as they make their way into many more schools, providing students with the basic necessities they need to succeed."

Last week, Cochran, Sunset Heights staff members, Nashua School District Superintendent Jahmal Mosley, EdD, and representatives from Catie's Closet gathered for a dedication ceremony where Mr. Cochran had the honor of hanging a plaque inside the closet that recognizes Jeanne D'Arc's support.

"Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union has always been such an amazing partner of Catie's Closet," said Anne-Marie Sousa, president and founder of Catie's Closet. "Their generous sponsorship of our new closet at Sunset Heights is a wonderful example of their commitment to supporting the community and to helping local non-profit organizations achieve their missions."

Students have already taken advantage of the new addition to their school, which is packed with shirts, pants, jackets, hats and gloves, for boys and girls, along with personal care items including shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and more.

"The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," said Marie Alsup,pPrincipal at Sunset Heights.

"The closet helps with [the students'] self-esteem because their basic needs are being met, and that's so important," said Mary Beth Thompson, Sunset Heights' guidance counselor. "It's like shopping in a little store for them. It's so nice to see their faces light up. They love it."